Cordova M K Smith Airport, AK Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Cordova M K Smith Airport garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 23
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 19
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
119 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 4b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 7 May 23 Jun 5
First fall frost Oct 2 Sep 19 Sep 5
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 4 · first Oct 2

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the CORDOVA M K SMITH AP station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Cordova M K Smith Airport

Computed from Cordova M K Smith Airport's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-4 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 28 – Apr 11 May 30 – Jun 6
🫑 Peppers Mar 14 – Mar 28 Jun 6 – Jun 13
🥬 Lettuce Apr 11 – Apr 25 Apr 25 – May 9 Apr 25 – May 23
🫛 Peas Apr 11 – Apr 25
🥕 Carrots May 2 – May 23
🥦 Broccoli Apr 4 – Apr 18 May 2 – May 16
🥬 Kale Apr 11 – Apr 25 Apr 25 – May 9 Apr 25 – May 9
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 25 – May 2 May 30 – Jun 6 May 30 – Jun 6
🥒 Zucchini Apr 25 – May 2 May 30 – Jun 6 May 30 – Jun 6
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 30 – Jun 6
🌽 Sweet Corn May 30 – Jun 6
🌿 Basil Apr 11 – Apr 25 May 30 – Jun 6 Jun 6 – Jun 13
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 8 – Sep 5

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Cordova M K Smith Airport's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Cordova M K Smith Airport

At about 119 frost-free days, Cordova M K Smith Airport rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Cordova M K Smith Airport, AK?

The average last spring frost in Cordova M K Smith Airport is around May 23, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Cordova M K Smith Airport, AK?

The average first fall frost in Cordova M K Smith Airport arrives around Sep 19. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Cordova M K Smith Airport?

About 119 frost-free days on average, from May 23 to Sep 19. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Cordova M K Smith Airport in?

USDA zone 4b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.